“When a man with money meets a man with experience, the man with experience leaves with money and the man with money leaves with experience.”

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Forget Me Notts

During the mid-1990s, the country's oldest professional club were regular opponents for the Addicks, but this will be the first competitive fixture for over fifteen years.

Clashes between the sides usually promised goals, with the last four encounters showcasing 19 goals alone, including two 3-3 draws at Meadow Lane and a 5-1 home win at The Valley.

The teams are equal on seven points, but the visitors have the momentum following two consecutive wins compared to two disappointing away defeats for the Addicks.

County managed to finish last season in style, putting the embarrassing Eriksson/Campbell charade behind them to lift the League Two title under Steve Cotterill.

The much-travelled manager was strangely tempted by the Pompey challenge, opening the way for Craig Short to take on his second managerial role, after.....Ferencvaros naturally.

Charlton's impressive start to the season is already a somewhat distant memory, and with the squad now beginning to display some depth, it's time for Phil Parkinson to repay the faith so publicly shown in him by Richard Murray.

The spirit in the team is not in doubt, but much of our football is rather uninspiring, overemphasising endeavour in favour of patient quality.

Questions are already being asked about the similarity of Semedo and McCormack in midfield, whilst the enforced absence of Christian Dailly provides an early and unwanted defensive headache (quite literally in his case).

Paul Benson will no doubt relish his home League debut, and a goal will calm his nerves because plenty of hopes rest upon his shoulders.

I suggested in the summer that persevering with Parky would be to tolerate mediocrity, which may have been harsh given the difficult circumstances within which he has worked so far.

However the squad now firmly has his stamp on it, and whilst financial constraints have again played a part in its formation, there should be plenty enough to work with to be highly competitive in this division.

Miguel Llera's late mishap against Exeter may cost him his place, with Matt Fry the obvious replacement with Johnny Jackson returning at left-back.

Scott Wagstaff was perhaps unlucky to start the last game on the bench, but it is likely that Lee Martin will again start on the right, unless Parky is comfortable pairing Benson with Martin rather than Abbott.